Tastings is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Scott Shoer to General Manager. As many of you know, Scott joined us in April of last year as our Bar Manager and quickly generated a following of guests who love his quick wit and endearing personality. We sat down with Scott for a little Q&A and wanted to share it with you so you can get to know him a little better. All of our guests are in for a treat as Scott brings an unparalleled attention to detail and staff training culled from working in some of the best bars and restaurants in Boston.
Tastings: Tell us a little about yourself.
Scott: I'm a 32-year old native Bostonian that grew up in a close knit family on the North Shore. I was attracted to the hospitality trade because after graduating from Ithaca college with a degree in Radio & Communications, Howard Stern beat me to the punch at WNBC in New York. Seriously, nothing makes me happier than when someone says "thank you" after I should be thanking them after a good meal. I love sports, funkadelic music (I was a DJ for 9 years) and am a true aficionado of great cuisine, fine wine, liquors and handcrafted small-lot beers. I'm married to a beautiful girl I met in the industry and we are parents to two neurotic cats.
Tastings: What is your philosophy when it comes to guest service?
Scott: As far as I'm concerned, guest satisfaction has to be the very top priority in any first-class establishment. It's not just about great food, great wine & cocktails, and great service at the table. It is about genuine HOSPITALITY. It is about welcoming people into your "home" and making them part of your extended family. I am fanatical about hiring and training people that are genuinely hospitable from the get-go. This is an innate skill that can't be taught to people. Technical service skills and food/wine knowledge can be taught, but you have to start with genuinely hospitable people.
Tastings: What are some of the other places you've worked in and around Boston?
Scott: I have worked at a variety of bars and restaurants that all had a common theme of fanatical obsession with the customer experience. This included stints with Barbara Lynch at Excelsior in the Back Bay, with Michael Schlow at Great Bay at Kenmore Square, and the Lobby Bar & Kitchen in the Financial District. I was proud to help make LBK one of the "Top 100 Bars in America" in 2009 according to Food & Wine Magazine. I was also voted one of Improper Bostonian's "Most Beloved Bartenders of 2008".
Tastings: What lured you out of the city to take a job at Tastings?
Scott: I was attracted to the owners' passion for not just creating good food and good drinks in an attractive environment. They wanted to create an "experience". They really are passionate about this and it shows. Also, once I met Chef Garcia, it was all over. I knew I had to leave the city to be able to work with a Rising Star Chef like Rich that has unlimited upside in this industry. It is very gratifying to be able to bring a sophisticated city-like experience out to the suburbs. The people of Foxboro and the surrounding communities are very lucky to have Tastings in their midst.
Please stop by to say hello to Scott and congratulate him on his well-deserved promotion!
